Tufts slips in national rankings for Peace Corps volunteers

Although Tufts continues to send a steady stream of graduates to the Peace Corps, the university has slipped in national rankings of Peace Corps volunteers. In 2005, the school dropped from fifth to 16th place on the list comparing the numbers of volunteers from small colleges and universities (less than 5000 students). Also in 2005, Dartmouth College, The University of Chicago, Wesleyan University, Gonzaga University and The University of Puget Sound ranked in the top five among small schools. In 2003, Tufts ranked first on the list. Director of Career Services Jean Papalia said that the slip from fifth to 16th does not represent a significant decrease in Tufts volunteers, but rather an increase in Peace Corps recruits from other universities. "I think there are just a lot of other schools joining the bandwagon," Papalia said. "Last year we had 22 people from Tufts [join the Peace Corps]; this year it was 19." The 19 prospective Peace Corps volunteers from this year's senior class will, if accepted, begin their work following graduation in May, joining the ranks of 446 Tufts alumni who have participated in the program since its creation in 1961. Senior Laura Nolan looks forward to living and traveling in a foreign country. "I am most interested in interacting with other people," she said. She decided to apply for Peace Corps over other domestic volunteer programs because she wants to see how different cultures manage health and education, two of her main interests. Nolan is interested in pursuing an advanced degree in clinical psychology in the future, but is still unsure about her exact field of study. "[The] Peace Corps would help me focus my interests," she said. Amarilys Rojas, who graduated in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in Child Development, is also waiting on the final decision from the Peace Corps. "I love traveling and doing health work," she said. "It just seemed like a win-win situation." "When you are really taken out of [your] safety zone you learn more about yourself," Rojas said. "When you are going somewhere, you have to get things done. Peace Corps is definitely go and do. You can't sit and wait." Both Nolan and Rojas have yet to find out if they have been accepted as Peace Corps volunteers. The Peace Corps presently has 7,810 volunteers serving in 77 different countries, with work varying from the education to the health sector. Recent university graduates enjoy financial incentives if they volunteer: The government reduces the volunteers' federal student loans by 15 percent each year and defers the rest of the loan payment for the program's duration.Laura Herman and Kelly McAnerney contributed reporting to this article.